By Solomon OKPO
Uyo, Jehovah’s Witnesses have clarified their stance on the concept of hellfire, explaining why they do not believe in eternal torment after death. Contrary to teachings in some religions, they say the Bible does not support the idea of souls burning forever in fire.
The term “hellfire” is commonly understood as a fiery place where the wicked are punished for eternity. However, Jehovah’s Witnesses point out that biblical terms often translated as “hell,” such as Sheol in Hebrew and Hades in Greek, refer instead to the common grave of humanity, a state of nonexistence where there is no awareness, pain, or suffering.
Scriptures cited include: Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10, which states that “the dead know nothing at all,” and Psalm 146:4, which notes that a person’s thoughts perish at death. “The Bible clearly teaches that the punishment for sin is death, not eternal torment,” a representative explained, referencing Romans 6:23 and Ezekiel 18:4.
Jehovah’s Witnesses emphasize that God’s loving and just nature precludes the idea of eternal suffering. The Bible recounts God’s displeasure with human sacrifices to false gods, such as Molech, and underscores His preference for repentance over punishment (Ezekiel 33:11; Jeremiah 7:31). “If God hates seeing innocent children burned in fire, it would be inconsistent to believe He would burn people forever in hellfire,” the representative said.
Instead, Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that death is a temporary state of rest in the grave, with the hope of resurrection for those who have lived righteously. As stated in John 5:28-29, “The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear His voice and come out.”
Through this teaching, Jehovah’s Witnesses aim to highlight the compassionate and just character of God and to encourage hope rooted in the resurrection rather than fear of eternal torment.
The Evangelist News
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